Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 110694 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 553(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110694 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 553(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
Branwen: I can’t. We are headed to an airstrip and flying back.
I wanted to add that I was sorry, but there was so much to be sorry for that I didn’t know where to begin.
“He’s a stage one clinger. No woman’s cunt is that damn magical.” Linc’s deep drawl snapped me out of my thoughts and away from watching the dots on the screen as Hudson typed.
Ignoring his remark was the smart thing to do, but I chose to be stupid.
“Not every man is led by his penis.” I whispered the last word, just in case Stevie wasn’t completely asleep.
The corner of Linc’s mouth quirked as his hooded gaze watched me, making my entire body rebel against me as it tingled.
“You’re right. I’m not. But the dentist is. You’re probably the hottest piece of ass he’s ever had.”
I opened my mouth to tell him that Hudson’s ex was gorgeous when my phone vibrated, and I looked back down at it.
Hudson: I’ve got a root canal to do. Call me tonight.
After all that typing, that was it? He must have erased whatever he was going to say.
Branwen: I will.
I turned to look out the window instead of continuing the conversation with Linc. When the limo turned onto a road I’d never been down, Stevie yawned, drawing my attention to her. Both small fists were rubbing her eyes as she stretched out her legs. The first smile I’d had since dealing with Hudson spread across my face as I watched her.
She opened her eyes slowly, and they met mine. The soft, happy grin that appeared on her face made my heart warm. She was my cure for everything.
“Hello, sunshine,” I said.
She giggled, then turned her head to look over at Linc. Watching her expression brighten at the sight of him reminded me why I could do this. I owed it to her.
My eyes shifted to Linc. He wasn’t just in awe of her; he already loved her. It made the other things he said and did less important.
“Awah we going to the stowah now?” she asked him.
He shifted in his seat, leaning forward slightly to look around her and out the window. “No need to go to the store,” he told her. “I believe everything you want might be inside there.”
He pointed to the window, and she turned her head to see the jet that sat parked out on the runway.
“A plane!” she squealed, her eyes as wide as saucers as the tip of her little finger pressed against the glass. “Mommy! It’s a plane, and my Bluey toys awah in it!”
I had known this was going to thrill her. The Bluey toys would have been forgotten when she saw it, but it wasn’t enough that Linc had a plane flying us back; he had to have the toys waiting inside it for her.
“I see that,” I replied. “You’re going to get to fly. That’s exciting.”
She nodded her head, and her curls bounced.
“Yeah! Let’s go.” She began to tug at the buckle and work to unlatch it.
The limo door opened about that time, and she kicked with glee. Linc reached over and helped her with the release button.
She looked up at the driver. “I’m gonna wide on that plane!” she told him.
His mouth almost smiled, and he nodded his head once. The man never spoke. I didn’t even know his name. He held out a hand to her as she scrambled out of her seat and started to exit the car. Without hesitation, she placed her tiny one in his and let him help her.
Linc had already exited the limo and was walking around to get her before she was completely out. I stepped onto the asphalt and thanked the driver before following Stevie, who now had her hand clasped with her father’s. She was skipping as she went beside him toward the plane. They made a sight that would melt the coldest of hearts. Rough and rugged cowboy, holding hands with a small pixie.
I held up my phone and took a picture. It was one of those things I wanted to keep. When this got too hard, it’d remind me of why I was doing it. Not just because Linc had left me with little choice, but because of Stevie too.
Nineteen
Linc
Along with the Bluey items that Stevie had wanted, I had asked for every available Bluey item. There was a plane—which was her favorite, it seemed—an ice cream stand, a kitchen set, cell phone, dolls of all the characters, a beach towel, a chair for her to sit in, and a cash register. While Stevie was ecstatic and I enjoyed the fuck out of watching her, Branwen had a different reaction. She wasn’t pleased. But Stevie was, and that was all I gave a shit about. Maybe giving a kid everything was a bad idea, but fuck it. I’d missed four goddamn years of buying her things.